Thoughts of summer....

The warmth of the tea was matched by the warmth of the welcome to parents and prospective parents of our September 2008 intake last Saturday as the Headmaster, Colin Moore, and his team outlined the School’s approach to the Early Years.  A child’s first steps in education are undoubtedly amongst the most important ones they will ever take.  Sponge like minds make them the most formative of years and at St George’s we are committed to giving our children the very best of starts.  We are an independent preparatory school that is proud to offer an academic programme that meets the needs of all its children; rigorous and challenging of the very able, accessible and encouraging to those who need support.  Our Nursery and Reception classes are wholly integrated into the main School and play a full part in its busy life.  

The Headmaster spoke of the School’s ethos stressing the mixed ability, co educational intake.  "It is our privilege to help each child reach their potential and throughout the School our team is dedicated to this goal, through small class sizes, setting of similar ability children, extension and additional lessons and by our personal knowledge of the needs of each individual." 

Christine Hawkins, the Nursery Manager, took up the theme in her presentation, taking parents through the range of activities undertaken by the children both inside the classroom, in the School’s grounds and in the wider community.  She spoke of learning through play, of the value of teamwork even at 3 or 4 years of age and of the use made of the Walled Garden as a safe and secure environment in which the younger children learn.  She stressed the part the four Teaching Assistants play in helping her ensure the children’s day is divided into small units of time that allow for maximum concentration and focus.

Reception teacher, Ruth McKimmon, stressed the seamless transition from Nursery to Reception and the continuation of the learning process.  "We constantly assess each child’s progress and can react by moving them between groups to give extra support where necessary and to stretch a child where ability is demonstrated.  I so enjoy working at St George’s with children of this age.  It’s not really like work at all!" she told the assembled parents to much laughter.

Fellow teacher Jo-Anne Staite agreed, "I have only recently started work at St George’s and with teaching assistant, Francesca Plater, I so enjoyed the Mini Beast Hunts around the gardens with the children last summer.  The Outdoor Classroom is tremendous too - it allows us to bring nature and the environment into virtually any lesson we choose simply by being out in the fresh air."

The presentations were accompanied by photos showing children at work, rest and play and in each case the happiness and confidence of the children pictured shone through.

Year VI children, who had given up their Saturday mornings, then arrived looking smart in their burgundy uniforms and took small groups of parents on a tour around the School.  On their return the Headmaster, Colin Moore, summed up the morning by thanking the staff and pupils for their help and the parents for the interest they had shown.  "I came for six months and so far have been here three years," he said.  "St George’s is unique in Jersey in the experience it offers its pupils and the Directors and I remain determined that all areas of the curriculum are constantly reviewed to ensure it stays that way".

For more information or a tour of the School please contact Ann Banahan